Armed man accused of threatening neighbors

LACKAWAXEN TWP. - PA State Police, Blooming Grove arrested a man, Sunday August 3rd for allegedly threatening to kill his apartment house neighbors with a shotgun.

Comment

News Eagle - Hawley, PA

Writer

Posted Aug. 4, 2014 at 3:14 PM

Posted Aug. 4, 2014 at 3:14 PM

LACKAWAXEN TWP. - PA State Police, Blooming Grove arrested a man, Sunday August 3rd for allegedly threatening to kill his apartment house neighbors with a shotgun.

According to police, Eric Rogerson, age 53, of Lackawaxen, was walking around at 3:50 a.m., inside the apartment building at 696 Route 590. He was allegedly carrying a shotgun and threatening to shoot and kill the three other adults in the building, where Rogerson also resided.

Members of the State Police were able to evacuate the victims from the apartment house upon their arrival at the scene. The accused remained in his apartment for several hours until he surrendered to members of the State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).

According to the affidavit filed by Trooper Frank Orlando, one of the witnesses (listed as Victim 1) told police that Rogerson said he was seeking revenge against another man (listed as Victim 2) for breaking into Rogerson's apartment and assaulting him.

Victim 1 had take her dog for a walk at 2:30 a.m. and had seen Rogerson in his apartment holding the shot gun. He asked her to come to his apartment to serve as a "witness" but she (Victim 1) got back in her apartment and locked the door, not replying to Rogerson. Observing by a peep hole, she could tell he went back in his apartment. Later, she ventured out with the dog so the dog could relieve itself. Once back in, Rogerson tried met her and wanted to talk and tried to stop her from closing her door. She managed to get back in and locked the door.

Rogerson allegedly yelled that he was "locked and loaded" and threatened to kill both Victim 2 and "everyone in the apartment."

Police interviewed Victim 2; he said that Rogerson's apartment was directly above his. Rogerson was allegedly banging on his floor and yelling threats at Victim 2. Rogerson allegedly yelled he would shoot both Victim 2 and Victim 2's girlfriend (Victim 3) through the wall. Victim 3 would not let Victim 2 reply to Rogerson and instead called 9-1-1. Victim 2 told police over the last month he had been in a couple altercations with Rogerson; State Police responded but no one was ever arrested. Victim 2 said he was in fear of his life or serious injury from the defendant.

Victim 3 told police that Rogerson yelled threats and she could hear a clicking noise as if someone was racking rounds into a shotgun.

Rogerson was taken into custody and charged with Terroristic Threats, Possessing Instruments of Crime, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Disorderly Conduct. All of the counts are misdemeanors.

The accused was arraigned by Magistrate Shannon Muir on August 3rd. He was lodged in Pike County Correctional Facility in lieu of posting $150,000 bail.